Defenders Glen Johnson and Younes Kaboul are battling to recover from thigh muscle injuries for the trip to Blackburn. Noe Pamarot is suspended but veteran Linvoy Primus, back from a loan spell at Charlton, is likely to figure. Manager Paul Hart looks set once more to start with Peter Crouch as a lone striker with Kanu and John Utaka on the substitutes' bench. David Nugent is pressing for a recall.

Bolton Wanderers v Sunderland (Saturday, 3pm)

Bolton midfielder Mark Davies is back in training after a knee injury but is unlikely to be fit enough to play. The 21-year-old has not played since being substituted in the 3-1 defeat by Fulham on 14 March and manager Gary Megson doubts whether he will be ready to return against the Black Cats. Centre-back Danny Shittu is edging closer to full fitness after a calf injury which has kept him out of the last two matches, while Ricardo Gardner could come back from a hamstring injury.

Sunderland midfielder Teemu Tainio could return to the squad. The Finland international missed the 2-0 home defeat by Everton with a knee problem but has been able to train this week. George McCartney (calf) is also back in full training but is he unlikely to figure this weekend, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon is due to undergo an exploratory operation on his knee tomorrow and, like defender Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring), will not play again this season.

Fulham v Aston Villa (Saturday, 3pm)

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is watching the progress of three players. Defender Carlos Cuéllar is still feeling ill after missing Monday's home win over Hull with flu, while Ashley Young and midfielder Stilian Petrov, who is close to agreeing a new contract, both limped out of that game.

Hull v Stoke (Saturday, 3pm)

Hull's Bernard Mendy and Craig Fagan are back in contention after missing Monday's defeat by Aston Villa. Dean Marney is likely to replace Ian Ashbee in midfield following news earlier this week the captain has ruptured a posterior cruciate ligament. Striker Caleb Folan serves the second match of a three-game ban while Jimmy Bullard (knee) and Anthony Gardner (back) are out for the season.

Stoke's James Beattie and Liam Lawrence both face fitness tests. Beattie suffered a recurrence of a thigh injury in the defeat by West Ham while Lawrence has a problem with his hip. Amdy Faye, Danny Higginbotham, Mamady Sidibe and Salif Diao are all ruled out.

West Brom v Wigan Athletic (Saturday, 3pm)

West Brom defender Paul Robinson and midfielder James Morrison are fitness doubts. Robinson suffered an ankle injury during the defeat by Tottenham while Morrison is still struggling to overcome the heel problem which has troubled him in recent weeks. Midfielder Graham Dorrans, who is poised to sign a new contract, is back in training after sustaining a foot injury at White Hart Lane and Albion will make a late decision on the ex-Livingston player. The Baggies could finally be relegated if they lose to the Latics and other results go against them.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is hopeful defenders Mario Melchiot and Paul Scharner will be fit. Melchiot was forced off at half-time of last Saturday's draw with Bolton with a groin injury while Scharner followed him in the second half with a knee problem. Emmerson Boyce and Erik Edman, their replacements against Wanderers, stand by should either not be fit.

West Ham v Liverpool (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been ruled out after suffering severe bruising in the tackle that brought Joey Barton a red card in last weekend's 3-0 win over Newcastle. Manager Rafael Benítez has better news elsewhere, with Fernando Torres (hamstring) and Javier Mascherano (ankle) both fit to travel to Upton Park. "Xabi is not fit and cannot play," Benítez said.

"We think maybe in the next week he will be OK. We had an idea that he could be fit for this game but in the end it was impossible. Javier was training and is in the squad, and so is Fernando."

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is approaching a return from his groin injury but the Liverpool game may come too soon. Savio (illness) is back in the squad and Jack Collison is pushing for a starting place after coming back from his knee injury last week. Scott Parker (groin) is out, along with James Collins (calf) and Kieron Dyer (hamstring). Dean Ashton (ankle), Valon Behrami (knee) and Danny Gabbidon (back/stomach) are out for the season.

Arsenal v Chelsea (Sunday, 4pm)

Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin is struggling to shake off a virus. The Russian has been unable to train for the past two days. Full-back Gaël Clichy (back) will now miss the rest of the season, along with fellow defender William Gallas (knee), striker Eduardo (groin) and long-term absentee Tomas Rosicky.

Manchester United v Manchester City (Sunday, 1.30pm)

Gary Neville has been included in the Manchester United squad for Sunday's derby match. The United captain has recovered from the foot injury that has kept him out for a month. Wes Brown (foot) is out for the season, while Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Paul Scholes are among those hoping for a recall.

Newcastle v Middlesbrough (Monday, 8pm)

Newcastle's manager, Alan Shearer, is facing a midfield headache. Joey Barton begins his three-match suspension after being sent off at Liverpool on Sunday, while Alan Smith is a major doubt with a thigh problem. Left-back Jose Enrique is struggling to shake off his hamstring injury, but central defender Steven Taylor (ankle) returned to training yesterday after two games on the sidelines and could figure.